San Antonio Botanical Garden Lucile Halsell Conservatory - Featured Project

Stay on top of the #Greenroofs & #Greenwalls World by subscribing here: Make sure to visit the brand new Emilio #Ambasz Virtual Museum website () to see this work, in addition to his wide array of other projects, built and conceptual. The Emilio Ambasz Virtual Museum website represents the architect and inventor – the owner of more than 220 industrial and mechanical patents – many years of experience in architecture, urban design, industrial and graphic design, and more. Established in 1980, the San Antonio Botanical Garden sits on 38 acres and is a world-class garden recognized for outstanding horticulture displays, botanical diversity, education, conservation, and experiences that connect people to the natural world. Inspired by the late San Antonio philanthropist Gilbert Denman and designed by Emilio Ambasz, the striking, internationally renowned Lucile Halsell Conservatory is a 90,000 square foot complex featuring five futuristic glass structures housing tropical palms, rainforest ferns, desert cacti, and rare orchids, which surround an inner courtyard, orangerie, and pond. Visitors can discover plants from the tropical rainforest and its canopy to the deserts of Mexico and South Africa, as well as tropical palms and ancient ferns. Both timeless and specific, natural and man-made, the complex of greenhouses is located in the hot, dry climate of southern Texas. Unlike northern climates where traditionally glazed greenhouses maximize sunlight, the climate of San Antonio requires that plants be shielded from the sun and the cold winds coming down from Canada. Emilio Ambasz’s design uses the earth as a container and protector of the plants, controlling light and heat levels by limiting glazed areas to the roof. This innovative design concept significantly decreased the need for expensive mechanical systems, thereby reducing the overall cost of the building by over 20%. The Lucile Halsell Conservatory complex’s Palm and Cycad Pavilion soars 65’ high at its tallest point and cradles the Fern Grotto 23’ below the earth’s surface. The urban oasis has been nationally recognized for its commitment to environmental stewardship and exhibitions that bring people and the natural world together. A top San Antonio attraction, the Garden serves as a museum of plants, a tranquil escape, a living classroom, a research and conservation facility, and entertainment venue where art, architecture, music, and theater experiences come to life for 368,000 annual visitors, including 60,000 children. The iconic Lucile Halsell Conservatory has welcomed millions of guests looking to explore unique plants and ecosystems from around the world. Click here: to see more information about this project in The International Greenroof & Greenwall Projects Database Did we miss your contribution? Please let us know to add you to the profile. Would you like one of your projects to be featured? We have to have a profile first! Submit Your Project Profile Featured Project 5/22/24: Video Credit: San Antonio Botanical Center Lucile Halsell Conservatory, SABOT Marketing. Image Credits: Emilio Ambasz; San Antonio Botanical Center Lucile Halsell Conservatory.